RUNYAN, Maria Teresa (Terry)

Arizona Silver Belt, Globe, AZ Wednesday, June 08, 2011 Maria Teresa “Terry” (Flores) Runyan of Miami, Ariz. passed away on May 27, 2011. She was born on Jan. 7, 1929 in Miami, Ariz. to Aurelio and Rosa Flores, one of 17 children. While attending Arizona State University in Tempe in 1950, Terry met Al Runyan, an Air Force cadet in pilot training. They married on Jan. 13, 1951, before Al left for combat in Korea. Terry and Al celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past January. They have four children, Damon, Patricia, Coreen and Scott. Terry raised all four children for nearly seven years by herself after husband Al was shot down over North Vietnam on his 88th combat mission on April 29, 1966. Terry next saw her husband on Feb. 12, 1973 when he was released after having spent six years and 10 months as a prisoner of war. Terry became a well-known figure on the east coast as she helped lead the national Bring Them Home letter-writing campaign to ensure the over 500 U.S. prisoners of war would not be forgotten and would be completely accounted for. Before Al’s release, Terry moved her family to Albuquerque, N.M. to be closer to family. Terry was an active member in community service activities, including volunteering at the V.A. hospital, member of St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church helping bring communion to shut-ins and the Rosary Makers’ Group. Terry and Al also traveled extensively visiting their children all over the U.S. In the mid-80’s, both Terry and Al cared for their youngest son, Scott who had become handicapped. They devoted themselves to his care until his passing in 1995. Terry’s life was marked by remarkable events and she met those challenges head on. For anyone who knew Terry, she reveled in your successes and encouraged you if you had obstacles. Terry is survived by her husband of 60 years, Albert Edward Runyan, Col, USAF (Ret.); her son, Damon (Michelle) Runyan (USN, Ret.); her daughters, Patricia (Lee, USMC, Ret.) Dickens and Coreen (Lee) Carrillo; grandchildren, Alan (Donna) Runyan, Kristine (Dave) Peabody, Michael Runyan, Kristen Carrillo and Aaron Carrillo and fiancé Cindy Castenada; great-grandchildren, Valerie and Natalie Runyan, and Amanda and Kyle Peabody and one on the way; six brothers and sister, A.J., Raymond, Joe, Charlie, Lupe, John Richard, and Josephine. In lieu of flowers, Terry’s family is requesting donations be made in her name Lovelace Women’s Hospital Intensive Care Unit on Montgomery Blvd NE, Albuquerque, so that someone unable to afford it might be able to receive the excellent care she received. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at French’s Mortuary, Wyoming Chapel, followed by internment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Visit: www.RememberTheirSotry.com.